The Imo State Police Command announced on Thursday that it has successfully rescued Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, the immediate past chairman of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Council, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on January 6, 2024, News About Nigeria reports.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, informed newsmen in Owerri about the successful rescue operation, stating that the collaborative efforts with sister security agencies in the state made it possible.
Okoye credited the accomplishment to the joint operation that took the battle to the kidnappers’ camp in the forest, overpowering them and successfully rescuing Eze Ohiri.
The PPRO stated, “Recall the Command has been working assiduously in synergy with other security agencies towards ensuring that Eze Ohiri is released, and some arrests have been made.”
He continued, “To the glory of God, he has been released after a hot chase on the kidnappers at the forest by operatives of the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit. The Command will continue to work towards stamping out all forms of violent crimes in the State.”
Providing details on the incident, an eyewitness shared, “This Saturday morning, Ohiri and his brother from the United States decided to drive out in their car in the spirit of the Christmas celebration to visit some of their friends.
“After their visit, they returned back. As they arrived at Ohiri’s compound; They packed their vehicle at one side of the compound, and as both of them were having the final discussion before they could say bye to each other, a highlander vehicle filled with armed gunmen double-crossed them and shot sporadically.
“They dragged both of them into the vehicle and drove away. They drove toward the Njaba to Orlu road.”
The witness added, “The Ohiri’s brother was said to have escaped.”
